A BILL to amend and reenact §18-21-2 and §18-21-4 of the Code of
West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to clarifying
the special community-based pilot demonstration project to
improve outcomes for at-risk youth.Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §18-21-2
and §18-21-4 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931,
as amended, be amended and reenacted, all to read as follows:ARTICLE 21. SPECIAL COMMUNITY-BASED PILOT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH.
§18-21-2. Creation of a Special Community-Based Pilot
Demonstration Project to Improve Outcomes for
At-Risk Youth.
Effective July 1, 2012, and if funds are available, the
Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human
Resources shall select a community-based organization to establish
a special Community-Based Pilot Demonstration Project to Improve
Outcomes for At-Risk Youth in a specified community for a duration
of four years. The project will identify, implement and document
best practices that can be replicated in other communities. The
designated community-based organization shall operate the special
pilot project under the direction of the Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Resources and shall work in
collaboration with the State School Superintendent, local county
school superintendent, Executive Director of the Presidentor the
Chancellor of the Community and Technical College System, the
closest community and technical college and four-year college or
university, State Workforce Investment Division, Executive Director
of the West Virginia Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the local
juvenile court system, the local workforce investment board, the
Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Director
of West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services, the local
mental/behavior health organizations and other governmental and
community-based organizations.
§18-21-4. Organization and goals of the Community-Based Pilot
Demonstration Program.
(a) The pilot program shall be operated by a local
community-based organization under the direction the Secretary of
the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and in
collaboration with the State School Superintendent, county school
superintendent, Executive Director of the State Workforce
Investment Division, Executive Director of WV Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, the local juvenile court system, the
Chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission, President
Chancellor of the Community and Technical College System, president
of the local community and technical college and four-year college
or university, the Director of the West Virginia Division of
Juvenile Services, the local mental/behavior health organizations
and other governmental and community-based organizations and
partner agencies to serve as a clearinghouse to coordinate
comprehensive youth and family services. The pilot project shall be
housed within the community and will be directed by a local
community-based nonprofit organization.
(b) The pilot project shall operate out of a centrally located
building to coordinate services to youth and their families in the
selected county from birth to seventeen years of age who are
referred by the Department of Health and Human Resources.
(c) The goal of the pilot program is to improve outcomes for
at-risk youth as measured by the following metrics:
(1) Early childhood development:
(A) Increase in the number of mothers receiving early prenatal
care;
(B) Increase in number of mothers participating in the Right
From the Start Program;
(C) Increase in the number of children screened by birth to
three year-old program for early development delays;
(D) Increase in the number of three year-olds enrolled in Head
Start;
(E) Increase in the number of four year-olds enrolled in
preschool. (2) Preschool youth and teen measures:
(A) Decrease in school truancy;
(B) Decrease in truancy hearings;
(C) Decrease in school suspensions;
(D) Decrease in school expulsions;
(E) Decrease in high school dropouts at a select school;
(F) Increase in the number of youth participating in a
mentoring program;
(G) Increase in academic performance for select students;
(H) Increase in number of youth participating in summer
employment; and
(I) Increase in number of youth entering postsecondary education or job.
(3) Parent Measures:
(A) Increase in the number of individuals registered at the
WorkForce West Virginia Center;
(B) Increase in the number of individuals enrolled in job
training;
(C) Increase in the number of individuals completing job
training with a certification or credential;
(D) Increase in the number of individuals placed in
employment; and
(E) Increase in number of children enrolled in the CHIP
program.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to amend language in the
code for accuracy and clarification concerning the special
community-based pilot demonstration project.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.